Benefits
There are many benefits to managing humidity in slaughterhouses, primary chilling and meat processing facilities.
Reduce evaporative losses
A high humidity during primary chilling reduces evaporation
Shorten chill cycles
Moist air improves thermal transfer, reducing primary chill times
Reduce energy use
Shortened primary chill times result in reduced refrigeration costs
Humidity Control for Abattoirs and Meat Processing
Humidification in Abattoir Primary Chilling
When a freshly slaughtered carcass is initially chilled to its storage temperature, it loses weight through moisture evaporation into the surrounding air. Depending on the chilling process, losses can be as high as 3% of total carcass weight. The greatest losses occur in the early stages when the temperature difference between the carcass and the chill room air is at its maximum.
By increasing relative humidity in the chill room to between 90–95% RH, moisture loss from the meat is reduced and weight losses can be lowered to less than 1%. This has a direct impact on profitability in abattoir operations, potentially preventing the loss of several kilograms of product from a typical side of beef during chilling.
In addition to improving yield through reduced weight loss, higher humidity in the chill room improves the thermal conductivity of the air. This allows the carcass to reach its storage temperature more quickly, which can reduce refrigeration energy consumption and help inhibit microbial growth on the meat.
By increasing relative humidity in the chill room to between 90–95% RH, moisture loss from the meat is reduced and weight losses can be lowered to less than 1%. This has a direct impact on profitability in abattoir operations, potentially preventing the loss of several kilograms of product from a typical side of beef during chilling.
In addition to improving yield through reduced weight loss, higher humidity in the chill room improves the thermal conductivity of the air. This allows the carcass to reach its storage temperature more quickly, which can reduce refrigeration energy consumption and help inhibit microbial growth on the meat.
Dehumidification in Abattoirs and Meat Processing
Cleaning routines in abattoirs and meat processing facilities often involve pressure washing and spraying, introducing large volumes of water into the environment. Without control, this can raise ambient humidity levels and increase the risk of mold growth. Dehumidification helps reduce excess moisture and maintain a hygienic operating environment.
In cold storage and freezer areas, excessive moisture can lead to fogging that reduces visibility or ice formation on surfaces. These conditions can create operational challenges and increase health and safety risks. Specialized desiccant dehumidifiers are used to remove moisture from the air, maintaining clear visibility and reducing or eliminating ice buildup on walls, ceilings, walkways, and stored products.
In cold storage and freezer areas, excessive moisture can lead to fogging that reduces visibility or ice formation on surfaces. These conditions can create operational challenges and increase health and safety risks. Specialized desiccant dehumidifiers are used to remove moisture from the air, maintaining clear visibility and reducing or eliminating ice buildup on walls, ceilings, walkways, and stored products.
Use Cases
Prevent Evaporative Losses
Organic materials have an internal moisture content and will lose moisture to the atmosphere when exposed to air with low humidity. Humidifiers are used to create an environment with the proper balance between the material’s internal moisture content and the air’s relative humidity.
Prevent Condensation and Mold
By combining a professional ventilation system with the Condair DA adsorption dryer, it is possible to achieve optimal results in preventing condensation and mold growth.
Discover Condair in Action
TEYS Abattoir
Dehumidifier for maintaining low moisture levels in the cutting / deboning robotics controls area of the facility
Humidity control at GM Steel meat processing in Scotland
Condair’s JetSpray humidifier is helping abattoir equipment specialists, GM Steel, reduce carcass moisture loss after slaughter by up to 1.5%. By maintaining a consistently high humidity in the chill down area, GM Steel has been able to reduce the moisture loss of a carcass from around 2.5% to less than 1%.
For an abattoir processing 3,500 carcasses per week and an average cost of beef at $4/kg, this technology could increase profits by over $2M per year by preventing over 500,000kg of beef simply evaporating into its chill store’s atmosphere.
Robert Ten Cate, consultant at GM Steel, explains the process, “A carcass coming from the slaughter line is wet and warm. When it is introduced to the chill store, the cold dry air strips moisture from its exposed surface. The amount depends on the abattoir’s cooling technology but it can be anywhere between 1.2-2.5% of its total weight, and sometimes even more. By maintaining a high humidity in the chill store with a JetSpray humidifier during the initial cooling, moisture loss from the carcass is inhibited and can be reduced to less than 1%.
For an abattoir processing 3,500 carcasses per week and an average cost of beef at $4/kg, this technology could increase profits by over $2M per year by preventing over 500,000kg of beef simply evaporating into its chill store’s atmosphere.
Robert Ten Cate, consultant at GM Steel, explains the process, “A carcass coming from the slaughter line is wet and warm. When it is introduced to the chill store, the cold dry air strips moisture from its exposed surface. The amount depends on the abattoir’s cooling technology but it can be anywhere between 1.2-2.5% of its total weight, and sometimes even more. By maintaining a high humidity in the chill store with a JetSpray humidifier during the initial cooling, moisture loss from the carcass is inhibited and can be reduced to less than 1%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will carcasses get wet if humidifiers are used during primary chilling?
What type of humidifier is best for reducing evaporation during primary chilling?
Does this system function as spray chilling?
What hygiene measures are required?
What type of sensors are required?
Where should the humidifier be located?
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